Sourcer: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What You’ll Learn About Sourcers

What Does a Sourcer Do?
Key Duties & Responsibilities
How to Become a Sourcer
Sourcer Salary Guide
How to Advance Your Career
Typical Work Environment

What Does a Sourcer do?

A Sourcer, often working within the Human Resources (HR) or recruitment sector, specializes in identifying and engaging potential candidates for job openings. Their primary role is to use various tools and techniques to search for talent, typically focusing on the initial stages of the recruitment process. Sourcers develop and implement strategies to locate and attract candidates using job boards, social media platforms, professional networks, and database searches. They are skilled in crafting compelling outreach messages and are adept at using advanced search techniques to pinpoint the best talent. A Sourcer's effectiveness is crucial in building a strong candidate pipeline, which helps organizations reduce hiring times and improve the quality of hires.

Sourcers also pre-screen candidates, coordinate with recruiters, and help maintain a smooth flow of communication between potential candidates and the organization.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Sourcers in the IT & Development field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

Utilize online databases, social media sites, and recruitment platforms to identify and attract potential candidates.
Engage with passive candidates through networking and direct outreach efforts.
Pre-screen resumes and conduct initial interviews to assess the suitability of candidates.
Maintain a detailed database of past applicants for future job openings.
Collaborate with HR teams and hiring managers to understand specific job requirements and the qualifications needed.
Assist in coordinating interviews and follow-up communications with candidates.
Stay up-to-date with new sourcing tools and recruitment industry trends.

How to Become a Sourcer

Launching a career as a Sourcer requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
Experience with sourcing techniques and tools, including resume databases, internet sourcing tools, and spreadsheets.
Knowledge of recruitment processes and candidate selection methods.
Familiarity with HR databases, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and Candidate Management Systems (CMS).

Requirements & Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and organizational skills.
Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative.
Capability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Sourcer Salary Guide

Wondering what Sourcers earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

Job	Branch	Avg. US Salary
Sourcer	IT & Development	62,000 USD

The average salary for a Sourcer in the U.S. is approximately $62,000 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Sourcers may receive a wide range of benefits.

Sourcer Salary Career Steps

Level	Experience	Avg. Salary per Year
Veteran	20+ years	$77,500
Senior	11+ years	$68,200
Experienced	6-10 years	$62,000
Mid Level	3-5 years	$55,800
Entry Level	0-2 years	$46,500

To explore more detailed salary information, including specific salary estimates in your country, visit the Sourcer Salary Country Overview.

How to Advance Your Career

Sourcers can advance to become full-cycle Recruiters, Talent Acquisition Specialists, or move into HR management roles. With further experience and possibly additional education, they could transition into strategic HR roles or specialize further in areas like employer branding and recruitment marketing.

Typical Work Environment

Sourcers typically work in an office environment within the HR department of a company. They may also work remotely, particularly in industries that are open to virtual work arrangements. The role may require regular interaction with people via phone or online platforms and can involve flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones of potential candidates.